From the Principal's Desk

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/27/2024 04:00 PM EDT

Upcoming Events

October 2: National Custodian Appreciation Day

October 3: School Holiday (Rosh Hashanah); Building & Facilities Closed

October 4: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

October 9: PSAT Day

October 21 & 22: Vision and Hearing Screening

October 14: Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples’ Day), Staff Development Day

October 15: PTSA meeting ,7pm, Library

October 15: All-Night Grad meeting, 8pm, Library

October 24: Band & Orchestra Masquerade Concert, 7pm, Auditorium

October 26: Fairfax City Band Concert, 7:30pm, Auditorium, Tickets Required

October 26: FHS Class of 1974, 50th Reunion, 6pm

October 31: End of First Quarter, 2HR Early Release

November 1: School Holiday (Diwali)

FHS Staff had a wonderful time hosting our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week. We are proud of our families who serve!

September 27, 2024

Happy Friday Fairfax Families,

I hope you are able to stay dry in the midst of all of these rainy, September showers. This week my message focuses on sharing a variety of student supports we have available for all learners here at FHS. We have been encouraging students to focus on our PAWS tenants of Working Hard and Self-Advocacy. We are halfway through Quarter 1. I want to encourage all parents to collaborate with their students and the teachers to ensure all students have a plan of action for success and are maximizing all opportunities for enrichments.

Fairfax High School has several options to support student success:

On Gray days, students can make a plan to attend classes they may need support with and obtain a pass to that teacher’s classroom during Lion Time. Lion Time is strategically scheduled to allow students the opportunity to relearn, redo, retake, accelerate and demonstrate mastery of learning in a variety of ways. I am including a video here for all parents that shows you how to support your students in requesting a Lion Time pass from their teacher. SECURLY LION TIME PASS
Every Wednesday and Thursday, FHS has late buses that pick students up after our Learning Lounge, afternoon clubs, and athletic activities. The Learning Lounge is a great place to receive extra support in any class and ensure you are meeting your goals in each class. We have both teachers and tutors available at this time.
Teachers are also available after school. Please click here to view a full list of the days that staff are available.
Saturday School is open for all students to receive additional support from 9am-12pm.
Finally, if your student needs assistance immediately, they can access Varsity Tutors through their classes in Schoology. With the class open, you should see a Varsity Tutors link on the left menu. Click the link and a virtual tutoring window should open and be able to assist.

*For additional information about navigating the Parent Schoology App - click here. Schoology offers great insight into course requirements and timelines/calendar dates.

Have a PAWSome Weekend Fairfax!

In partnership,

Funday Monday in Action!

Included in this issue:

Student Spotlight

"I Voted" Sticker Contest Winners

Community Spotlight

Woman's Club of Fairfax

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

Calendar Reminders: Rosh Hashanah, Student Holidays, PSAT Day
Save the Date: Roar Roundup! November 4
Community Conversations
Attendance Tip

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:

Cheer Junior Clinic, October 4
Financial Aid Night, October 10
College Fair, October 20
Send a Happy Gram to your Student
District News: In Case You Missed It
Quick Links

Fairfax HS PTSA

Raffle Winners!
Join or Donate Today!
No-Fuss Fundraiser
Shred Event & Food Drive

Student Spotlight

Fairfax City Voter Sticker Contest

Earlier this month, members of the Commission on the Arts celebrated the finalists and winners of the 2024 Election Sticker Contest with the City of Fairfax Electoral Board. The winning design will be featured on Election stickers for the 2024 Election!

The winning design was submitted by Fairfax HS Junior, Peter Choi, with Fairfax Junior, Abbey Avilla, coming in as a close runner-up with her design.

All designs will be displayed at the Sherwood Center from now until Election Day. Congratulations, Lions!

Community Spotlight

Woman's Club of Fairfax

Photo & Article Credit: City of Fairfax Government

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international federation established in the late 19th century, is dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through community service.

The Woman's Club of Fairfax is a proud active member of this national group and joins GFWC in their National Day of Service on Sept. 28, when all GFWC members come together in service to raise awareness about — and take action to battle — food insecurity.

Earlier this week, Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read declared Sept. 28 a National Day of Service to Battle Food Insecurity in #FairfaxCity. Receiving the proclamation were members of the Woman’s Club of Fairfax (pictured above).

The Woman’s Club of Fairfax is hosting a food drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. TOMORROW, Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Fairfax High School parking lot. The club has partnered with the region’s food insecurity organizations to provide meals, non-perishable food, and food kits for school students with food insecurities.

#FairfaxCity encourages the community to bring a donation to the food drive to support Fairfax City school students who experience food insecurities. Visit the Woman’s Club of Fairfax’s Facebook page for information: https://www.facebook.com/WomansClubOfFairfax

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

🗓️Calendar Reminders

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.

Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed.

Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.

See the complete school year calendar.

📋 October 9: PSAT/SAT School Day and Early Release Day; No School for 9th Grade!

October 9 is a 2-hour early release day for high schools.
Students receiving low incidence special education services receive a normal instructional program if not participating in the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day
High school academy courses are not held on October 9; high school academy staff support base school activities, and all high school shuttles are canceled on this date.
*Grade 9 students do not attend school this day.*
Grade 10-11 students take the PSAT/NMSQT, with limited exceptions.
Grade 12 students taking the SAT should show up at normal time. Those not taking the SAT do NOT report to school.
All students MUST bring their FCPSOn laptops or they will not be able to test.

Save the Date: Roar Roundup on November 4

This school year, FHS is bringing back parent/teacher conferences! The "Roar Roundup" will be held on Monday, November 4th, from 8:30am-11:30am in the Field House. Parent/Guardians can check in with teachers for 3-5 minute conversations. More info will be available in the comings weeks.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

🎤 Nuestras Escuelas, Nuestro Futuro: ¡Inscríbete hoy para asistir a una Conversación Comunitaria!

La Superintendente, Dra. Michelle Reid, tendra una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias este otoño. Ella le invita a compartir sus pensamientos y hacer preguntas. Haga clic en las fechas a continuación para inscribirse en cualquiera de las siguientes conversaciones:

Los eventos serán de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m. Habrá servicio de cuidado de niños e interpretación de idiomas.

🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.

Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

🗓️ Consejo para la asistencia: Programar viajes o eventos familiares

La buena asistencia es una habilidad importante para la vida que ayudará a los estudiantes a tener éxito en la escuela y más allá.

Cuando planee viajes o eventos familiares, refiérase al calendario de FCPS y trate de usar los fines de semana y días festivos de la escuela. Cada día de aprendizaje es un día hacia el éxito. Tenga en cuenta que las ausencias se suman rápidamente. Los estudiantes que faltan el 10% del año escolar (o sólo dos días al mes) se consideran ausentes crónicos.

Cuando sea posible, programe citas para su hijo fuera del horario escolar. Si su hijo tiene que faltar a clase por enfermedad u otro motivo, debe reportar la ausencia.

Vea este vídeo con consejos para entender nuestro calendario escolar y visite nuestra página web de Asistencia para obtener información adicional. ¡Asista hoy, para tener exito mañana!

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:

📣🎉 Cheer Junior Clinic, October 4

Lion Nation,

Join us for the Varsity Cheer Team's Junior Cheer Clinic on Friday, October 4th, from 4-8 PM! This is a fantastic opportunity for young cheerleaders to learn sideline cheer skills and cheer alongside the varsity team during the first half of the West Potomac vs. Fairfax football game.

Details:

Cost: $50
Registration: Use the QR Code to sign up today!

Don't miss out on this guaranteed great experience! If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Kyelin Thrift at Kthrift@fcps.edu. See you on October 4th!

Financial Aid Night

Region 5: Fairfax, Chantilly, Westfield, Marshall and Woodson High Schools Present:

Financial Aid Night

For Class of 2025 Seniors sand Parents/Guardians

Thursday, October 10, 2024

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

@ Woodson High School – Auditorium (Door 18)

9525 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031

Presented by College Access Fairfax. College Access Fairfax is committed to helping FCPS students with the complex task of acquiring financial aid for post-secondary education.

Presentation Topics:

Understanding the financial aid process.
Steps families need to take to secure financial aid.
Information on the FAFSA, VASA, CSS Profile, Financial Aid letters and more!

No pre-reservation is required.

Spanish & Arabic Interpretations will be available.

For more information or questions, contact: Maureen Kim - FHS College & Career Specialist, 703-219-2204, MHKim@fcps.edu.

🎓 Prepare for Your Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights

The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.

Following the fair, a two-night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the college fair and postsecondary virtual event.

🎓 Prepárese para su futuro en la Feria Universitaria y Noches Postsecundarias

La Feria Universitaria anual de FCPS se llevará a cabo el domingo, 20 de octubre, en el Eagle Bank Arena de la Universidad George Mason, de 4 a 6:30 p.m. Aproximadamente 220 colegios y universidades estarán representados, incluyendo escuelas de dos y cuatro años y Academias de Servicio de los Estados Unidos.

Después de la feria, se celebrará un Evento Virtual Postsecundario de dos noches, el lunes 21 y el martes 22 de octubre, de 5 a 8 p.m. Ambos eventos ayudarán a los estudiantes a estar mejor preparados para el siguiente capítulo de su viaje educativo. Aprenda más sobre la feria universitaria y el evento virtual postsecundario y para registrarse.

📬Send a Happy Gram to your Student!

Hello, Fairfax Families!

We’re working on ways to bring joy to your students, and we want to involve YOU! Our Joy Coordinator, Cheryl Spevak, created happy grams to send to your student. If you fill out the form below, she’ll hand write and deliver your note. If you have any questions, feel free to email her at csspevak@fcps.edu. This is a completely free service we’re offering. 😊

https://forms.gle/UpVBKfFaGWZPAwLK7

District News - In Case You Missed It

FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week for 9/25/24, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

FCPS Wants to Further Support Military Families
Sign and Return SR&R
Upcoming Immunization Clinics

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Quick Links

throughout the year:

Visit the Fairfax High School Website
Sign up for News You Choose messages or update your account
Visit the Fairfax PTSA Website

Fairfax HS PTSA

JOIN OR DONATE TODAY!

SIGN UP by Monday, September 23rd to qualify for our FINAL ‘24-‘25 DRAWING!!

JOIN the PTSA to support our FHS teachers, students and community! Your member dues and donations work to fund all of our activities and programs, help keep you engaged and informed about what is happening in our school community and provide opportunities to get involved if your time permits.

Parent/Adult: $20, Teacher/Staff: $12, FHS Student: $8.

PTSA No Fuss Fundraiser - Donate Today!

Support our FHS Students and Teachers with your generous donations! Our No-Fuss Fundraiser has a goal of $2200 to fully fund the proposed 24-25 PTSA budget. The Parent, Teacher, Student Association supports FHS students and teachers through financing events and supporting wellness, diversity, and volunteerism. The PTSA rewards academic achievement, offers student scholarships, funds classroom grants, puts on teacher appreciation events, and supports the FHS Food Bank.

We rely entirely on membership dues and donations to fund the PTSA budget, and as a 501(c)3, your donation is tax-deductible. For details on how the funds are spent, see the proposed budget HERE.